Agent Orange is a highly toxic herbicide used by the U.S. military during
the Vietnam War to defoliate hiding places used by the enemy and to clear
the perimeters of military installations. Although colorless, it is known
as “Agent Orange” because of an orange-colored band painted
on the drums used to store and transport it.

After years of advocacy led by Vietnam Veterans of America, Congress enacted
into law the Agent Orange Act of 1991. This legislation empowered the Secretary
of Veterans Affairs to declare certain maladies as “presumptive” to
exposure to Agent Orange/dioxin and enable Vietnam veterans, as well as
some veterans who served along the demilitarized zone in Korea during the
late 1960s, to receive treatment and compensation for these health conditions.
Service-connected benefits, however, may also be granted for other maladies
not yet recognized as presumptive service-connected health conditions.

Presumptive Service Connected Illnesses Recognized by the VA
As Connected to Agent Orange Herbicide Exposure

Acute Peripheral Neuropathy: a temporary dysfunction of the nervous
system characterized by involuntary “tingling” or numbness
in the extremities

AL Amyloidosis: a rare group of diseases that results from the abnormal
deposition of a particular protein called amyloid in various tissues of
the body

*Chloracne: an acne-like eruption on the skin due to prolonged exposure
to certain chlorinated compounds

Hodgkins Disease: a tumor found in the lymph nodes characterized by
increasing enlargement of the lymph nodes, liver, and spleen and accompanied
by progressive anemia

Ischemic (or ischaemic) heart disease: a heart condition resulting when the arteries that bring blood and oxygen to the heart are blocked. There may be a buildup of cholesterol and other substances, called plaque, in the arteries that bring oxygen to heart muscle tissue. Over time, the heart muscle does not work well, and it is more difficult for the heart to fill and release blood. It is the most common cause of congestive heart failure.

Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma: a rare type of cancer which causes malignant
tumors of the lymph nodes, distinguished from Hodgkins disease by the
absence of giant Reed-Sternberg cells

Parkinson’s disease: a neurological disease which limits a person’s ability to control some of his or her muscles. It's caused by a slow, gradual loss of certain cells in the brain which manufacture a chemical called dopamine. This chemical is needed for muscles to work normally. In many people, Parkinson's disease causes movement and muscle problems and may be accompanied by slight, uncontrolled shaking of the arms and legs.

*Peripheral Neuropathy: a dysfunction of the nervous system involving
either the somatic nerves or the autonomic nervous system (see Acute Peripheral
Neuropathy); can cause sensory loss, atrophy, and muscle weakness

*Porphyria Cutanea Tarda: characterized by skin lesions on exposed portions
of the body and pigment changes in the skin; liver disease occurs in
some patients

Spina bifida in Children Conceived After Veteran First Arrived in Vietnam:
characterized by a defective closure of the spinal chord in which the
chord may be exposed and/or protrude.
Sub-acute Peripheral Neuropathy: a nervous system disorder either acute
(temporary) or chronic (long-term) – see acute peripheral neuropathy
and peripheral neuropathy

Cancers –

Cancer of the Bronchus: a malignant tumor found in the bronchus, an
extension of the windpipe (trachea) connecting to the lungs

Cancer of the Larynx: a malignant tumor found in the voice box (larynx)

Cancer of the Lung: a malignant tumor found in the lungs

Cancer of the Prostate: a malignant tumor found in the prostate gland

Cancer of the Trachea: a malignant tumor found in the windpipe (trachea)

Soft Tissue Sarcoma (a group of soft tissue cancers characterized by malignant
tumors which develop on muscles and connective tissue, or in body fat)
Adult Fibrosarcoma: a tumor formed from connective tissue

Alveolar Soft Part Sarcoma: a sarcoma found in the aveoli, the sac-like
ducts in the lungs

Angiosarcoma: a tumor occurring in the breast and skin and believed
to originate from blood vessels

Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia: characterized by progressive increase
in production of white blood cells

Clear Cell Sarcoma of Aponeuroses: a sarcoma found at the end of a muscle
where it becomes a tendon

Clear Cell Sarcoma of Tendons: a sarcoma found in the tendons

Congenital Fibrosarcoma: a malignant tumor formed before birth and derived
from connective tissue

Dermatofibrosarcoma: a relatively slow-growing skin tumor consisting
of one or more firm nodules

Ectomesenchymoma: a tumor found in certain parts of the skin

Epithelioid Malignant Leiomysarcoma: a malignant tumor derived from
smooth muscle found in the layer covering the muscle

Epithelioid Malignant Schwannoma: a moderately firm, benign tumor found
in the layers of membrane covering surfaces inside the body cavity
caused by too many Schwann cells growing in a disorderly manner

Epithelioid Sarcoma: a tumor found in the membrane covering surfaces
inside the body cavity

Extraskeletal Ewing’s Sarcoma: a tumor outside the bone consisting
of small rounded cells

Hairy cell leukemia: a slow-growing form of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) called such because the leukemic lymphocytes have short, thin projections on their surfaces that look like hairs when examined under a microscope. Hairy cell leukemia is caused by an abnormal change in a B lymphocyte (a type of white cell).

Synovial Sarcoma: a tumor found in the lubricating fluid surrounding
joints and tendons

*subject to time requirements for purposes of filing claims

NOTE: This list may change over time. For official updates, see Title 38
Code of Federal Regulations Section 3.303(e) “Disease associated with
exposure to certain herbicide agents”

Birth Defects* Recognized by the VA
As Connected to Agent Orange Herbicide Exposure

Spina Bifida: children born to either male or female Vietnam veterans;
Spina Bifida Occulta not included

Children born to female Vietnam veterans

Achondroplasia: produces a type of dwarfism

Cleft Lip and Cleft Palate

Congenital Heart Disease

Congenital Talipses Equinovarus: clubfoot

Esophageal and Intestinal Atresia

Hallerman-Streiff Syndrome: premature small growth and other related
defects

Hip Dysplasia

Hirschprung’s Disease: congenital megacolon

Hydrocephalus Due to Aqueductal Stenosis,

Hypospadias: abnormal opening in the urethra

Imperforate Anus

Neural Tube Defects

Poland Syndrome: webbed fingers

Pyloric Stenosis

Syndactyly: fused digits

Tracheoesophageal Fistula

Undescended Testicles

Williams syndrome: thyroid defects

Not covered are conditions that are congenital malignant neoplasms, chromosomal
disorders, or developmental disorders. In addition, conditions that do not
result in permanent physical or mental disability are not covered birth
defects.

NOTE: this list may change over time. Additional information about birth
defects and Agent Orange exposure can be found online at http://
www.birthdefects.org maintained by the National Birth Defect Registry.